ARTICLES ABOUT EAST JORDAN BY DATE - PAGE 5

EAST JORDAN - East Jordan senior Josh Wojan looks to be at midseason form just a couple meets into the 2013 cross country season, as he brought in a first place overall win, regardless of division, in the East Jordan Cross Country Invitational on Wednesday with a time of 17:09.4. The Grand Traverse Academy boys' team took the Division IV portion of the race with 41 points, followed by Inland Lakes with 53 points, Boyne Falls third with 58 and Mancelona fourth with 61 points. For Inland Lakes, Duane Vizina turned in a time of 19:00.6, while Jacob Drogowski placed eighth with a 19:41.4.

EAST JORDAN - The East Jordan Community Park course wouldn't be the only obstacle to overcome for multiple area Division 1-3 schools Wednesday in the East Jordan Cross Country Invitational, as temperatures in the upper 80s slowed times and drained bodies throughout the race. In the end, the Petoskey girls' cross country team earned a narrow first place finish over Charlevoix, escaping with a two point, 42 to 44 win over the Rayder girls. Harbor Springs was a close third with 49 points, while Boyne City finished fourth with 87 points.

James O. Wilson, passed away Aug. 26, 2013, at his home on Eckhardt Road, surrounded by family and his beloved pet, Cindi. He was born Jan. 2, 1926, in Chestonia Township, to Roy and Blanche (Holden) Wilson. Jim resided in Bellaire all of his life, where he farmed and worked hard. Most of his working life was spent at Lamina of Bellaire where Jim worked 38 years until retiring in 1990. He was a member of the Antrim Church of Christ. Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and family vacations.

EAST JORDAN - Wonderfully unobstructed Lake Charlevoix views, a peaceful setting, private dock and completely renovated rooms are what await patrons at East Jordan Motel. Jill Hegedus, the owner of the business, whose background includes many years of management of hotels and bed and breakfasts, has been diligently pursuing renovations. She recently added new landscaping, benches and outdoor picnic tables to enable her guests to take full advantage of the area's outdoor beauty. Hegedus describes what has been done to the motel as "pretty much a complete and total renovation, but it has been fun, and has come a long way. " "Even the old motel sign out front, which I jokingly referred to as the Bates Motel sign, has been removed.

EAST JORDAN - The East Jordan Public Schools Board of Education has approved the addition of an Alternative High School Education Program. The new program was passed unanimously by the school board, and will begin this school year. “We've been working on this for 12 months and this will be a real difference maker,” said superintendent Jon Hoover. “What we were able to do was move existing staff around. We're putting one of the best teachers in Northern Michigan into the assignment, which didn't cost anything out of the general fund.” The students attending this program are at risk of not graduating, or have dropped out and will work toward their diploma, said assistant high school principal and director of instructional technology, Mary Standerfer.

LaVella Howard of Boyne City passed away at the age of 81 at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan. Arrangements are pending with Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey and a full obituary will follow.

For the youngest members of the 4-H Club presenting animals at the Emmet Charlevoix County Fair isn't about winning ribbons. The members of Cloverbuds, a section of 4-H for children between the ages of 5 and 8, don't compete. They only participate to gain experience, practice showmanship skills and get used to speaking to judges, said swine barn superintendant, Sheryl Thayer, of Levering. “It's a great way for them to learn how to show off what they know,” Thayer said. “Some of these kids know everything about the animal they're taking care of.” Cloverbuds can participate in different 4-H capacities, including the three-month-long swine program.

Frances A. Murphy, 84, of East Jordan, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan. She was born on July 12, 1929, in East Jordan, the daughter of Leo and Dorothy (Dennis) Sommerville. On Jan. 7, 1951, in East Jordan, she married Gale Murphy. She has lived her whole life in East Jordan. Besides raising four children, Frances worked as a teacher, factory worker in East Jordan at Gulf & Western, now known as Dura, as well as Tool and Die. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Rebec-Hosler-Sweet Post 227 Auxiliary of the American Legion, both in East Jordan.